Theme park, observation wheel, more gaming part of Ontario’s plans for Niagara Falls

Premier Ford announced new funding to help unlock Niagara’s potential as a ‘tourism powerhouse’ with jobs for Ontarians amid U.S. tariffs.

The Ford government is hoping a multi-billion-dollar plan will position Niagara Falls as “a world-renowned tourism destination” complete with more gaming, a new theme park, observation wheel and expanded arts and culture.

“Niagara has the potential to be a true tourism powerhouse, a world-class destination that drives Ontario’s economy and keep tens of thousands of Ontario workers on the job, and we’re doing everything we can to unlock that potential,” Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference Monday.

The province said it’s hoping to attract 25 million annual visitors to Niagara Falls, adding an additional $3 billion to Ontario’s annual GDP.

The “Destination Niagara Strategy” includes plans for a request for information to build a new theme park, transforming the Toronto Power Generating Station overlooking the falls into a boutique hotel, and exploring options to build more casinos.

The province is also looking to improve transportation options in and out of the region, including expanding the QEW, twinning the Garden City Skyway, increasing GO service and leveraging the Niagara District Airport to bring in visitors more easily.

“Our vision is to expand the runway by 3,000 feet — that will get all the big planes around the world in. Because if we got to go 5,000 (feet), let’s do the 5,000 and we’ll get everyone from all over,” Ford said.

“We’re going to revitalize that airport. We’re going to ask the federal government for their support as well. This is going to bring people in from all over the world, and we’re going to move quick on this, allowing passenger flights arrive from around the world.”

Ford said Marineland, an existing theme park in the area, is not a government site and is therefore not part of the plans. The park has been under fire for years over the treatment and health of marine animals there — a core part of the park’s attractions.

But Niagara Falls Mayor Jim Diodati said the city has been working with Marineland to figure out ways to return it to its former position as a major tourism attraction.

“There have been a number of proposals, and the proponents do come to visit the city for land use and to find out what’s allowed through our official plan and zoning bylaws,” Diodati said, noting the property is approximately “three Magic Kingdoms” large.

“To put it into perspective, it used to be the number one tourist attraction in the country, and obviously animal entertainment has fallen out of favour over the last 60 years. But I can tell you, we’re working closely with Marineland, with the trustees there, working closely with our government partners, to find a soft landing for the animals and to turn that into the economic generator that it once was.”

The province previously announced $35 million over three years to rebuild the historic Royal George Theatre for the Shaw Festival. “Niagara Takes Flight,” an immersive attraction “exploring the region’s 13,000 years of history” also opened earlier this year through Niagara Parks. The province said Monday the attraction has already welcomed more than 120,000 visitors.